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Ben Roethlisberger left Heinz Field on Monday night with his sprained right shoulder in a sling.
When he walks back in ready to play is anybody’s guess.

Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin called the franchise quarterback “questionable” but
otherwise offered little detail yesterday, less than 24 hours after Roethlisberger was pounded into
the ground by Kansas City Chiefs linebackers Tamba Hali and Justin Houston in the third quarter of
Pittsburgh’s 16-13 overtime victory.

“He is being evaluated,” Tomlin said. “Obviously, this injury puts his participation in the ‘
questionable’ category for (Sunday night against rival Baltimore).”

Roethlisberger had tests yesterday to determine the severity of a sprain to a joint that
connects the collarbone to the sternum in his throwing shoulder. Treatment can range from a few
days of rest and ice to as much as four to six weeks off, said Dr. Victor Khabie, chief of sports
medicine at Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco, N.Y.

“You could tape it, you could do that stuff, but the reality is those ligaments just have to
heal,” Khabie said. “If you go throwing, you slow down the healing process.”

If Roethlisberger can’t play, the Steelers will turn to veteran backup Byron Leftwich, who
completed 7 of 14 passes for 73 yards in relief on Monday. Leftwich hasn’t started a game since
2009, when he went 0-3 for Tampa Bay. His last victory came in October 2006 with Jacksonville.

Williams could be on his way back for Broncos

The Denver Broncos waived safety Duke Ihenacho, opening a roster spot that could be filled by
linebacker D.J. Williams.

Williams was reinstated on Monday after sitting out the first nine games while serving two
separate suspensions: six games for violating the NFL’s banned-substances policy and three tacked
on by commissioner Roger Goodell for a second alcohol-related driving conviction in August.

Williams will practice today for the first time since training camp, and the Broncos will
evaluate him over the next few days before activating him to the 53-man roster. Coach John Fox said
the coaching staff needs to see him practice before making a decision.

The team’s leading tackler in five of the past eight seasons, Williams said it was difficult be
out, “but I did the crime, gotta do the time. It’s over with now. Hopefully, I can move on and help
my team continue to keep winning.”

Quick hits

• Tampa Bay linebacker Quincy Black was placed on injured reserve after suffering a neck injury
making a tackle on Sunday and will miss the remainder of the season. The Buccaneers said they
expect Black to recover but that the sixth-year pro is experiencing complications with his left
arm.

• With quarterback Jay Cutler’s status uncertain because of a concussion, Chicago signed
veteran backup Josh McCown. Jason Campbell is expected to start on Monday at San Francisco if
Cutler can’t go.

• The New York Jets waived linebacker Aaron Maybin, a season after he led the team with six
sacks. He was expected to have a larger role this season as an “edge” pass rusher but failed to
make an impact.